mother

mother

mother¹ [muth′ər]

n.

[ME moder < OE modor, akin to Ger mutter < IE * matér, mother (> L mater, Gr mētēr, OIr māthir) < * ma-, echoic of baby talk]

1. a woman who has borne a child; esp., a woman as she is related to her child or children

2.

a) a stepmother

b) an adoptive mother

c) a mother-in-law

3. the female parent of a plant or animal

4. that which gives birth to something, is the origin or source of something, or nurtures in the manner of a mother

5.

a) a woman having the responsibility and authority of a mother

b) [often M-] MOTHER SUPERIOR: used esp. as a title

6. an elderly woman: used as a title of affectionate respect [Slang]

7. short for MOTHERFUCKER: somewhat vulgar

adj.

1. of, like, or like that of a mother

2. derived or learned from or as if from one's mother; native [mother tongue]

3. designating a company, institution, etc. from which another or others originated [mother church]

vt.

1. to be the mother of; give birth to: often used figuratively

2. to look after or care for as a mother does

——————

the mother of all

something regarded as the biggest, most impressive, or most important of (its kind): often used humorously [the mother of all yard sales ]

motherless

adj.

mother² [muth′ər]

n.

[altered (infl. by MOTHER¹) < MDu moeder, akin to MLowG modder: for IE base see MUD]

1. short for MOTHER OF VINEGAR

2. Obs. dregs